What Causes Asthma Symptoms and Attacks?

There are things in the environment that bring on your asthma symptoms and lead to asthma attacks. Some of the more common things include exercise, allergens, irritants, and viral infections. Some people have asthma only when they exercise or have a viral infection.

The list below gives some examples of things that can bring on asthma symptoms.

Allergens

• Animal dander (from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals)
  
• Dust mites (contained in house dust)
  
• Cockroaches
  
• Pollen from trees and grass
  
• Mold (indoor and outdoor)
  

Irritants

• Cigarette smoke
  
• Air pollution
  
• Cold air or changes in weather
  
• Strong odors from painting or cooking
  
• Scented products
  
• Strong emotional expression (including crying or laughing hard) and stress
  

Others

• Medicines such as aspirin and beta-blockers
  
• Sulfites in food (dried fruit) or beverages (wine)
  
• A condition called gastroesophageal (GAS-tro-e-sof-o-JEE-al) reflux disease that causes heartburn and can worsen asthma symptoms, especially at night
  
• Irritants or allergens that you may be exposed to at your work, such as special chemicals or dusts
  
• Infections
  

This is not a complete list of all the things that can bring on asthma symptoms. People can have trouble with one or more of these. It is important for you to learn which ones are problems for you. Your doctor can help you identify which things affect your asthma and ways to avoid them.